JP3215639B2 - Peripheral equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a peripheral device used by being connected to an external device such as a computer, and more particularly to a peripheral device capable of accurately recognizing a power-off state of a connected external device. Things.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a multifunctional peripheral device having a plurality of functions as a peripheral device of a personal computer, for example, having a plurality of printer functions, facsimile functions, or scanner functions has been developed. This multifunctional peripheral device is used by being connected to a computer via a connection cable or the like. If the power of the computer is turned off while the power of the multifunction peripheral device is on, a current flows from the multifunction peripheral device to the computer via a connection cable, and a part of the computer is turned on.
That is, the computer is not completely turned off.

Under such circumstances, when the power of the computer is turned on, the computer may run away due to the flowing current. For this reason, in the multifunction peripheral device, when it is confirmed that the computer is off, the high output to the connection port is prohibited to prevent the current from flowing into the computer and prevent the computer from running away. . In addition, when the multifunction peripheral device confirms the power-off state of the computer, the multifunction peripheral device terminates a program operating in connection with the computer in order to use the memory effectively.

[0004]

However, when a connection cable for connecting the computer and the multi-function peripheral device is disconnected and inserted, the multi-function peripheral device does not operate even if the power of the computer is not turned off. However, there is a problem that the power is turned off. For this reason, even if the connection and disconnection of the connection cable is completed in a short time, the program that operates in connection with the computer will be terminated, so the terminated program must be started every time the connection cable is disconnected and connected. There was a problem that it did not become.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and recognizes the power-off state of an external device by an operation such as disconnection and insertion of a connection cable performed in a short time. It is intended to provide a peripheral device without any trouble.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a peripheral device according to claim 1 is provided with a connection port to which an external device such as a computer is connected, and a power supply of the external device according to a state of the connection port. Detecting means for detecting the off state of the device, and a preventing means for stopping a high output to the connection port in accordance with the detection result of the detecting means to prevent a current from flowing into the external device, The prevention unit is executed when the power-off state of the external device is continuously detected by the detection unit for a predetermined period, and a memory area used in association with the operation of the external device; Opening means for opening the memory area together with the execution of the prevention means.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the detecting unit continuously detects the power-off state of the external device for a predetermined period, the preventing unit is executed and the high output to the connection port is stopped. Is done. With the suspension of this high output,
The current is prevented from flowing from the peripheral device to the external device whose power is turned off. In addition, the release unit is executed together with the execution of the prevention unit, and the memory area used in connection with the operation of the external device is released for another device.

[0008] The peripheral device according to claim 2, wherein, in the peripheral device according to claim 1, wherein <br/>, opening with the said memory area by said releasing means, ending means for ending the program that is used in the memory area It has. this
According to the peripheral device according to claim 2, on which acts like a peripheral device according to claim 1, wherein, when the power off state of the external device is detected continuously for a predetermined time period, by opening means of the memory area At the time of the release, the termination means is executed, and the program used in the memory area is terminated.

[0009] peripheral apparatus according to the third aspect, claim 1 or
3. The peripheral device according to 2 , wherein the detection means includes two or more detection devices capable of detecting a power-off state of the external device, and is used for detecting an off-state of the two or more detection devices. There is provided selection means for selecting a detection device. According to the peripheral device described in claim 3 , claim 1 or claim 2
Operates in the same manner as the peripheral device described in 2 above, and the detection of the power-off state of the external device is performed by the detection device selected by the selection device among the two or more detection devices provided in the detection device.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the peripheral device according to the third aspect , when one of the two or more detection devices detects a power-off state of the external device, The detection of the ON state of the power supply of the external device is performed by the detection device that has detected the OFF state.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the peripheral device according to the first aspect.
5. The peripheral device according to claim 4 , further comprising a second selection unit that selects whether to detect a power-off state of the external device.

[0012]

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment,
A description will be given using a facsimile machine with a printer function, which is one form of a (multifunctional) peripheral device. The facsimile device 1 with a printer function is a device obtained by adding a function as a printer to a facsimile device, and has both a function as a facsimile device and a function as a printer. That is, the facsimile machine 1 with the printer function
Not only prints the received facsimile data,
This is a multi-functional peripheral device that can also print print data input from a personal computer.

FIG. 1 shows a personal computer (PC).
1 shows an external perspective view of the facsimile apparatus 1 to which the facsimile device 50 is connected. A handset 3 is attached to a side of the main body 2 of the facsimile machine 1. The receiver 3 is placed on a hook (not shown) provided on the main body 2 during a non-call, and is picked up and used during a call. An operation panel 4 having a plurality of buttons is provided at a front portion of the upper surface of the main body 2. By operating the operation panel 4, various settings of the facsimile machine 1 are performed. A liquid crystal display (LCD) 5 is provided at a left rear portion of the operation panel 4. The facsimile apparatus 1 is operated by pressing a button provided on the operation panel 4, and the operation state and operation procedure are displayed on the LCD 5.

A document insertion port 6 is provided at the rear of the operation panel 4 and the LCD 5. The original to be transmitted by facsimile is inserted into the original insertion slot 6 with the original surface facing downward, and after reading is performed, the original is sent from an original exit 7 provided on the front surface of the main body 2 and below the operation panel 4. Is discharged. At the rear of the document insertion slot 6, a recording paper tray mounting section 9 is provided.
Is provided. A recording paper tray 10 capable of stacking and storing a plurality of recording papers is detachably attached to the recording paper tray mounting section 9. The recording paper supplied from the recording paper tray 10 and used for printing is discharged from a recording paper discharge port 8 provided below the document discharge port 7.

A connector of a personal computer interface 14 as a connection port is provided on the back of the main body 2 (see FIG. 2). The facsimile machine 1 is connected to a PC 50 as an external device via a cable 15 connected to the personal computer interface 14.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the facsimile machine 1. The facsimile apparatus 1 includes a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a personal computer interface 14, an AD converter 16, a voice LS
I17, a network control unit (hereinafter referred to as "NCU") 19, a modem 20, a buffer 21, a scanner 22, an encoder 23, a decoder 24, a printer 25, an operation panel 4, and an amplifier 27. These are interconnected via a bus line 29.

The CPU 11 controls each unit connected to the bus line 29 based on various signals transmitted and received through the NCU 19, and performs facsimile operation, printer operation,
Alternatively, a scanner operation or the like is performed. ROM12
Is a non-rewritable memory that stores the control program 12a executed by the facsimile machine 1, the programs of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4 to 8, and the like.

The RAM 13 is a memory for storing various data, and includes a power check flag 13a, STB
Check flag 13b, PC status 13c, select-in H counter 13d, select-in L counter 13
e, STB abnormal counter 13f, STB normal counter 1
3g, a task memory 13h, and the like.

The power check flag 13a is a flag for determining whether or not to check the on / off state of the power supply of the PC 50 connected to the facsimile machine 1. If the power check flag 13a is on, 1
Every 60 seconds, the power on / off state of the PC 50 is checked, and if the power check flag 13a is off,
The power on / off state of the PC 50 is not checked. This power check flag 13a indicates that the facsimile machine 1
Is turned on or off by operating a button on the operation panel 4 or by data transmitted from the PC 50.

The STB check flag 13b is set in the PC 50
This flag is used to determine whether to use the voltage value of the strobe terminal as a material for determining the on / off state when checking the on / off state of the power supply. STB
When the check flag 13b is on, the on / off state of the PC 50 is checked based on the voltage value of the strobe terminal. When the STB check flag 13b is off, the voltage value of the strobe terminal is used for checking the on / off state. Not done. This STB check flag 13b is also
By operating the buttons on the operation panel 4 of the facsimile machine 1 as in the case of the power check flag 13a,
Alternatively, it is turned on or off by data transmitted from the PC 50.

The PC status 13c is a memory for storing the power on / off state of the PC 50. The value of the PC status 13c changes in a range from “0” to “2”.
If the power of the PC 50 is on, the PC status 1
"0" is set to 3c. On the other hand, if the power-off state of the PC 50 is detected based on the detection result of the select-in terminal, “1” is detected. If the PC 50 is detected based on the detection result of the strobe terminal, the off-state is detected. “2” is set in the PC status 13c. When the off state of the PC 50 is detected based on the detection results of the select-in terminal and the strobe terminal, the PC 50
"2" is set in the status 13c.

The select-in H counter 13d is connected to the PC5
This is a counter used when detecting the power-off state of 0 using the select-in terminal. Since the select-in terminal is pulled up on the facsimile machine 1 side, it is at a high voltage when the power of the PC 50 is off. Therefore, the select-in H counter 13
The value of d is counted up by 1 every 1/60 second while the high voltage of the select-in terminal is detected. If the low voltage of the select-in terminal is detected even once during the counting up, the value of the counter 13d becomes 0.
Cleared. As a result of counting up, select in H
When the value of the counter 13d becomes equal to or more than a predetermined value, the power-off of the PC 50 is recognized.

The select-in L counter 13e is connected to the PC5
This is a counter used when detecting the power-on state of 0 using the select-in terminal. The select-in terminal has a low voltage when the power supply of the PC 50 is turned on. Therefore, the value of the select-in L counter 13e is set to 1 while the low voltage of the select-in terminal is detected.
The count is incremented by one every / 60 seconds. If the high voltage of the select-in terminal is detected even once during the count-up, the value of the counter 13e is cleared to zero. As a result of the count-up, when the value of the select-in L counter 13e becomes equal to or more than a predetermined value, the power-on of the PC 50 is recognized.

The STB abnormality counter 13f is a counter used when detecting the power-off state of the PC 50 using the strobe terminal. When the power of the PC 50 is turned on, the voltage value of the strobe terminal is within the range of the high voltage or the low voltage. Therefore, ST
The value of the B abnormality counter 13f is counted up by one count every 1/60 second while the voltage value of the strobe terminal does not fall within the range between the high voltage and the low voltage. If the voltage value of the strobe terminal falls within the range of the high voltage or the low voltage even once during the count-up, the value of the counter 13f is cleared to zero. As a result of the count up, when the value of the STB abnormality counter 13f becomes equal to or more than a predetermined value, the power off of the PC 50 is recognized.

The STB normal counter 13g is a counter used when detecting the power-on state of the PC 50 using the strobe terminal. When the power of the PC 50 is turned on, the voltage value of the strobe terminal is within the range of the high voltage or the low voltage. Therefore, ST
The value of the B normal counter 13g is counted up by 1 every 1/60 second while the voltage value of the strobe terminal is within the range of either the high voltage or the low voltage. If the voltage value of the strobe terminal does not fall within the range between the high voltage and the low voltage even once during the count-up, the value of the counter 13g is cleared to zero. As a result of counting up, STB normal counter 13g
Is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, it is recognized that the PC 50 is powered on.

The task memory 13h is a memory area in which various data such as print data, facsimile data or scanner data and various programs are loaded. As shown in FIG. 3, three areas of a printer area PE, a scanner area SE, and a FAX area FE are secured on the task memory 13h. The size of each area changes according to the operation situation, and the task memory 13h can be used efficiently. Specifically, when the facsimile machine 1 is used as a printer of the PC 50, a large printer area PE is secured on the task memory 13h as shown in FIG. Program and print data are developed. Conversely, when the printing operation is completed and the PC 50 is turned off, the printer area PE secured on the task memory 13h becomes
It is opened as shown in FIG. The opened memory area is used as another facsimile area FE or scanner area SE.

The personal computer interface 14 is, for example, a parallel interface conforming to the Centronics standard, and has a strobe (STB) terminal and a select-in terminal. The strobe terminal is a terminal of a signal line that becomes active during data transmission from the PC 50.
The select-in terminal is a terminal that is pulled up on the facsimile machine 1 side, and has a high voltage while the power of the PC 50 is off and a low voltage while the power of the PC 50 is on.
The facsimile machine 1 can transmit and receive data to and from the PC 50 via a cable 15 connected to the interface 14. The AD converter 16 is a strobe (STB) of the personal computer interface 14.
The converter is connected to the signal line 14a and converts the voltage value of the strobe terminal from an analog value to a digital value. The voltage value converted by the AD converter 16 is input to the CPU 11 via the bus line 29 as needed.

The audio LSI 17 converts an analog audio signal received by the NCU 19 into a digital audio signal, and converts a digital audio signal generated inside the facsimile apparatus 1 into an analog audio signal to convert it into an NCU.
19 is output. The modem 20 modulates and demodulates image data and transmits the data, and also transmits and receives various procedure signals for transmission control. The buffer 21 temporarily stores encoded facsimile data transmitted / received to / from a partner facsimile apparatus and image data of a document read by the scanner 22.

The scanner 22 is for reading an image of a document inserted into the document insertion slot 6 and includes an encoding unit 23.
Performs encoding of a document image read by the scanner 22. The decoding unit 24 reads out the received facsimile data stored in the buffer 21 and decodes it. The decrypted data is output to the printer 25 and printed on a recording sheet. The amplifier 27 is for sounding a speaker 28 connected to the amplifier 27 and outputting a ringing tone or the like. The facsimile apparatus 1 configured in this manner is an NCU 19
Is connected to the telephone line 30 via the.

Next, the PC power on / off check processing executed in the facsimile machine 1 with a printer function configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. The PC power on / off check process is a process of detecting the power on / off state of the PC 50 connected to the facsimile device 1 and changing the settings in the facsimile device 1 in accordance with the detected on / off state. The PC power on / off check process is periodically executed in the interval interrupt process started every 1/60 second.

In the process of FIG. 4, first, the on / off state of the power check flag 13a is checked (S1). If the power check flag 13a is on (S1: Yes),
Since the on / off state of the power of the PC 50 is set to be checked, the process branches to each process according to the value of the PC status 13c (S2). Specifically, if the value of the PC status 13c is "0", the process branches to a PC power-off check process (S3). If the value is "1", the process branches to a PC power-on check (1) process (S4). , "2" is P
The process branches to a C power-on check (2) process (S5). In the process of S1, the power check flag 13a
As a result of checking, if it is off (S1: No), PC50
This processing ends without performing the power on / off check of the power supply.

The PC power-off check processing (S3) shown in FIGS.
This is a process executed when the value of c is “0”. The fact that the value of the PC status 13c is "0" means that the PC status
Since this indicates that the power-on of 50 has been determined, the power-off check is performed.

This PC power-off check processing (S3)
Is a process of detecting the voltage of the select-in terminal (S6)
And a process of detecting the voltage of the strobe terminal (S7). As described above, by detecting the voltages of the two or more terminals, it is possible to more accurately detect the off state. The process of detecting the voltage of the strobe terminal (S7) is performed by the STB check flag 1
If 3b is off, it is not performed.

In the PC power off check processing (S3),
First, the voltage of the select-in terminal is checked (S1).
1). When the power supply of the PC 50 is on, the voltage of the select-in terminal is a low voltage, and when it is off, it is a high voltage.
Therefore, if the voltage of the select-in terminal is a low voltage (S11: No), since the power of the PC 50 is on, the value of the select-in H counter 13d for determining the power-off of the PC 50 is cleared to 0. (S12), S6
Ends, and the process moves to the process of S7 (FIG. 6).

On the other hand, in the process of S11, if the voltage of the select-in terminal is a high voltage (S11: Yes),
The value of the select-in H counter 13d is incremented by 1 (S1
3). As a result, if the value of the select-in H counter 13d does not reach the predetermined value (S14: No), the power-off state of the PC 50 is not determined (PC status 13c).
Without changing the value of), the process of S6 ends,
The process proceeds to S7 (FIG. 6). Conversely, select in H
When the value of the counter 13d is incremented by 1 and the value reaches a predetermined value (S14: Yes), the power-off state of the PC 50 is determined, and the processing from S15 to S18 is executed.

First, by detecting the select-in terminal, the PC
Since the power-off of 50 has been confirmed, the PC status 13
c is set to 1 (S15), and a select-in L counter 13e, which is a counter for determining the power-on state of the PC 50, including a select-in H counter 13d,
The value of each counter of the STB normal counter 13g is cleared to 0 (S16). Then, of the memory areas secured in the task memory 13h, the printer area PE used in connection with the PC 50 is released for another device (S17). At this time, the program loaded in the printer area PE is forcibly terminated. As a result of the processing of S17, the task memory 13h stores, for example, FIG.
The state of FIG. 3A transitions to the state of FIG. When the printer area PE in the task memory 13h is released (S17), all the outputs of the centroport of the personal computer interface 14 are set to low outputs (S18) to prevent the current from flowing into the PC 50 whose power is turned off. . It should be noted that the state of the Centroport may be set to a high impedance state instead of making all the outputs of the Centroport low. Even in the high impedance state, it is possible to prevent the current from flowing into the PC 50.

When the power-off check processing of the PC 50 based on the select-in terminal is completed (S6), S20 in FIG.
Then, the state of the STB check flag 13b is checked (S20). If the STB check flag 13b is off (S20: No), the fact that the strobe terminal is not checked is set by data from the PC 50 or by operating a button on the operation panel 4. Therefore, in such a case, the process of S7 is skipped, and the PC power-off check process (S3) ends. If the STB check flag 13b is on (S20: Yes), the process shifts to the process of S21, and the process of S7 for determining the power off of the PC 50 based on the voltage value of the strobe terminal is executed.

In the process of S7, first, the strobe (ST
B) It is checked whether the voltage value of the terminal is normal (S2).
1). When the power supply of the PC 50 is turned on, the voltage value of the strobe terminal is a normal voltage value within the range of the standard voltage of the high voltage (1.9 volts or more) or the low voltage (0.85 volts or less). . Conversely, when the power supply of the PC 50 is turned off, the voltage value of the strobe terminal is not within the range of the standard voltage of either the high voltage or the low voltage depending on the PC 50, and is abnormal from 0.85 volt to 1.90 volt. It may be a voltage value. Therefore, if the voltage value of the strobe terminal is normal (S21: Yes), the value of the STB abnormality counter 13f for determining the power-off of the PC 50 is cleared to 0 (S22), and the process of S7 ends.

On the other hand, in the processing of S21, if the voltage value of the strobe terminal is not normal (S21: No), ST
The value of the B abnormality counter 13f is incremented by one (S23). As a result, if the value of the STB abnormality counter 13f does not reach the predetermined value (S24: No), this processing ends without determining the power-off state of the PC 50 (without changing the value of the PC status 13c). . Conversely, when the value of the STB abnormality counter 13f is incremented by 1 and the value reaches a predetermined value (S24: Yes), the power-off state of the PC 50 is determined, and the processing from S25 to S28 is executed.

In the process of S25, since the power-off of the PC 50 is determined by the detection of the strobe terminal, the PC status 13c is set to 2 (S25), and the STB abnormality counter 13f and the select-in H counter 13 are set.
d, the values of all four counters of the select-in L counter 13e and the STB normal counter 13g are cleared to 0 (S2).
6). Then, of the memory areas secured in the task memory 13h, the printer area PE used in connection with the PC 50 is released for another device (S2).
7). At this time, the program loaded in the printer area PE is forcibly terminated. By the process of S27, the task memory 13h transitions from the state of FIG. 3A to the state of FIG. 3B, for example. Task memory 13
h, the printer area PE is opened (S2).
7) All the outputs of the centro port of the personal computer interface 14 are set to low outputs (S28) to prevent the current from flowing into the PC 50 whose power is turned off. It should be noted that the state of the Centroport may be set to a high impedance state instead of making all the outputs of the Centroport low. Even in the high impedance state, it is possible to prevent the current from flowing into the PC 50.

The PC power-on check (1) process (S4) of FIG. 7 is a process executed when the value of the PC status 13c is "1" in the process of S2 of FIG.
The fact that the value of the PC status 13c is “1” means that the PC status 13c is based on the detection result of the select-in terminal.
Since the power-off of the power supply is determined, the power-on check of the power supply is performed based on the detection result of the select-in terminal.

If the STB check flag 13b is turned on before the power-on check processing of the PC 50 based on the detection result of the select-in terminal (S30: Yes)
s) The process proceeds to S31, where the power-off check process of the PC 50 is performed based on the voltage value of the strobe terminal (S8).
Is performed. The process of S8 is a process of detecting the voltage of the select-in terminal (S6) because the STB check flag 13b is set to ON in the PC power-off check process (S3) shown in FIGS. This is a case where two processes, that is, the process of checking the voltage of the strobe terminal (S7) are performed in parallel, and before the value of the STB abnormality counter 13f reaches a predetermined value, the select-in H counter 13d When the value reaches a predetermined value, the value of the PC status 13c is set to “1”, that is, P is set based on the detection result of the select-in terminal.
When the power-off of C50 is determined, the voltage of the strobe terminal is continuously checked, and the STB abnormality counter 1
This is considered to monitor whether the value of 3f reaches a predetermined value. If the value of the STB abnormality counter 13f reaches the predetermined value, it is set to “1” first. The value of the PC status 13c is changed to "2". Accordingly, when the power-off state of the PC 50 is detected based on the detection results of both the select-in terminal and the strobe terminal, the detection result of the strobe terminal is prioritized, and the power supply of the PC 50 that is subsequently started up is given priority. The on state is detected. The reason why the STB abnormality counter 13f is not cleared to 0 in step S16 of the process (S6) shown in FIG. 5 is due to the above reason.
The process of S8 is the same as the process of S7 described above except that the branch destinations of the processes of S32 and S34: No and S38 are different, and thus will be briefly described.

If the voltage value of the strobe (STB) terminal is normal (S31: Yes), the STB abnormality counter 13
The value of f is cleared to 0 (S32), and the process proceeds to a power-on check process of the PC 50 based on the result of detecting the select-in terminal in S41. On the other hand, if the voltage value of the strobe terminal is not normal (S31: No), the STB abnormality counter 1
The value of 3f is incremented by 1 (S33). +1 results in STB
If the value of the abnormality counter 13f does not reach the predetermined value (S3
4: No), the process of S8 and the PC power-on check (1) process are terminated. As a result of adding +1 to the value of the STB abnormality counter 13f (S33), the counter 1
When the value of 3f reaches a predetermined value (S34: Ye
s), the power-off state of the PC 50 is determined, and S35 to S
38. The processing of 38 is executed.

First, the PC status 13c is set to 2 (S35), and the values of all four counters including the STB abnormality counter 13f, the select-in H counter 13d, the select-in L counter 13e, and the STB normal counter 13g are cleared to zero. (S36). And task memory 1
3h, the printer area PE among the memory areas secured during 3h is opened for another device (S3).
7) All outputs of the centro port of the personal computer interface 14 are set to low outputs (S38) to prevent the current from flowing into the PC 50 whose power is turned off.

In the processing of S30, when the STB check flag 13b is off (S30: No), or in S3
After the execution of the process 2, the process proceeds to the process of S41, and a power-on check process of the PC 50 based on the select-in terminal is performed. First, the voltage of the select-in terminal is checked (S
41) If the voltage of the select-in terminal is the high voltage (S41: No), the value of the select-in L counter 13e for determining the power-on of the PC 50 is cleared to 0 (S42), and the PC power-on check ( 1) Processing (S4)
To end.

On the other hand, in the process of S41, if the voltage of the select-in terminal is a low voltage (S41: Yes),
The value of the select-in L counter 13e is incremented by 1 (S4
3). As a result, if the value of the select-in L counter 13e does not reach the predetermined value (S44: No), the power-on state of the PC 50 is not determined (PC status 13c).
(Without changing the value of (1)), the PC power-on check (1) process (S4) ends. Conversely, select in L
As a result of adding +1 to the value of the counter 13e (S43), when the value reaches a predetermined value (S44: Yes), the PC 5
The power-on state of 0 is determined, and the processing from S45 to S48 is executed.

In the processing of S45, first, the PC status 13c is set to 0 to store the power-on state of the PC 50 (S45), and then the select-in L counter 13 is set.
e, the value of all four counters including the select-in H counter 13d, the STB abnormality counter 13f, and the STB normal counter 13g are cleared to 0 (S46). Then, a printer area PE used in connection with the PC 50 is secured in the task memory 13h (S47), and the input / output status of the Centro port of the PC interface 14 is returned to the state at the time of connection of the PC 50 (S47). S4
8). Since the printer area PE is secured in the task memory 13h by the process of S47, the task memory 13h is changed from the state of FIG. 3B to the state of FIG.
To the state of.

The PC power-on check (2) process (S5) of FIG. 8 is a process executed when the value of the PC status 13c is "2" in the process of S2 of FIG.
The fact that the value of the PC status 13c is "2" indicates that the power supply of the PC 50 has been determined to be OFF based on the detection result of the strobe terminal. It is done based on. That is, when the power-off state of the PC 50 is detected based on the detection result of the strobe terminal,
The value of the PC status 13c is set to "2" (S25,
S35). Therefore, the power-on state of the PC 50 in such a case is determined based on the detection result of the strobe terminal, and the power-on state of the PC 50 is determined by performing the process (S5).

In the process of S5, first, the strobe (ST
B) It is checked whether the voltage value of the terminal is normal (S5).
1). If the voltage value of the strobe terminal is not normal (S5
1: No), ST for confirming the power-on of the PC 50
The value of the B normal counter 13g is cleared to 0 (S52),
This PC power-on check (2) processing (S5) is completed.

On the other hand, if the voltage value of the strobe terminal is normal (S51: Yes), the value of the STB normal counter 13g is incremented by 1 (S53). As a result, if the value of the STB normal counter 13g does not reach the predetermined value (S54: N
o), without determining the power-on state of the PC 50 (P
This process ends without changing the value of the C status 13c). Conversely, when the value of the STB normal counter 13g is incremented by 1 and the value reaches a predetermined value (S5).
4: Yes), the power-on state of the PC 50 is determined, and S5
5 to S58 are executed.

In the process of S55, first, 0 is set to the PC status 13c to store the power-on state of the PC 50 (S55). Next, the STB normal counter 13g
, The select-in H counter 13d, the select-in L counter 13e, and the STB abnormality counter 13f.
The values of all the counters are cleared to 0 (S56). And
A printer area PE used in connection with the PC 50 is secured in the task memory 13h (S57), and the input / output status of the Centro port of the personal computer interface 14 is returned to the state when the PC 50 was connected (S5).
8). Since the printer area PE is secured on the task memory 13h by the processing of S57, the task memory 13h is, for example, changed from the state of FIG. 3B to the state of FIG.
To the state of.

As described above, according to the facsimile apparatus (multi-function peripheral) 1 of the present embodiment, the on / off state of the power supply of the PC 50 connected to the facsimile apparatus 1 is as follows.
Since a certain detection result is recognized when the detection result continues for a predetermined period (for example, three seconds), a change in the power on / off state of the power supply for an operation performed in a short time, such as connection and disconnection of a connection cable, for example, is performed. Will not be recognized. Therefore, every time the connection cable is connected or disconnected, the wasteful processing of opening or re-securing the printer area PE on the task memory 13h can be omitted.

In this embodiment, the processing of S11, S21 and S31 corresponds to the detecting means according to claim 1, and the processing of S18, S28 and S38 corresponds to the preventing means. Opening means according to claim 2,
The terminating means according to claim 3 includes S17, S2
7 and S37 correspond respectively. The detection device according to claim 4 corresponds to a select-in terminal and a strobe terminal, respectively.

As described above, the present invention has been described based on the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Can easily be inferred.

For example, in this embodiment, the select-in terminal and the strobe terminal are used as terminals for checking the on / off state of the power supply of the PC 50, but other terminals may be used.

[0056]

Effects of the Invention According to the peripheral device according to claim 1, the power-off state of the external device is recognized if the condition is detected continuously for a predetermined time period, the connection between the short cable There is an effect that even if the external device is inserted or removed, it is not recognized that the power supply of the external device is turned off. The memory area used in connection with the operation of the external device is released when the power-off state of the external device is continuously detected for a predetermined period. Therefore, even if the connection cable is connected or disconnected in a short time, the memory area is not opened. Therefore, the process of opening and securing the memory area, which is conventionally performed every time a connection cable is connected or disconnected, is not required, and the operability and the efficiency of the process can be improved.

[0057] According to the peripheral device according to claim 2, claim
In addition to the effects of the peripheral device described in 1, the program that operates in connection with the external device is terminated when the power-off state of the external device is continuously detected for a predetermined period. Therefore, even if the connection cable is disconnected and inserted in a short time, the program is not ended. This eliminates the need for terminating and starting up the program, which is conventionally performed each time a connection cable is connected or disconnected, and thus has the effect of improving operability and improving processing efficiency.

[0058] According to the peripheral device according to claim 3, claim
In addition to the effects of the peripheral device according to 1 or 2 ,
Since the detection of the power-off state of the external device is performed by the detection device selected by the selection unit among the two or more detection devices, there is an effect that the OFF state suitable for the use state can be detected.

[0059] According to the peripheral device according to claim 4, claim
In addition to the effects of the peripheral device described in 3 , the power-on state of the external device is detected by the detection device that has detected the off-state, so that the transition from the power-off state to the on-state can be accurately performed. There is an effect that it can be detected.

[0060] According to the peripheral device according to claim 5, claim
In addition to the effects of the peripheral device described in any one of 1 to 4, in addition, whether or not to detect the power-off state of the external device can be selected by the second selection unit.
There is an effect that the peripheral device can be set to a desired use state.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a facsimile apparatus with a printer function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a transition state of each memory area in a task memory.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a PC power on / off check process.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a first half of a PC power-off check process.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the latter half of the PC power-off check process.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a PC power-on check (1) process.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing PC power-on check (2) processing.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Facsimile machine with printer function (peripheral device) 11 CPU 12 ROM 13 RAM 13a Power check flag (second selecting means) 13b STB check flag (selecting means) 13h Task memory 14 Personal computer interface (connection port) 14a Strobe (STB) Signal line 15 Connection cable 16 AD converter 50 Personal computer (PC) (external device) FE FAX area (memory area) PE Printer area (memory area) SE Scanner area (memory area)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00-1/00 108 B41J 29/00-29/70 G06F 3/00 G06F 3/09-3 / 12 G06F 3/18 H04L 13/00-13/18

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] A connection port 1. A external device such as a computer is connected, a detecting means for detecting a power-off state of the external apparatus by the state of the connection port, the connection according to the detection result of the detecting means A peripheral device comprising: a prevention unit for stopping a high output to a port to prevent a current from flowing into the external device, wherein the prevention unit determines that the power supply of the external device is turned off for a predetermined period by the detection unit. It is executed when detected continuously, and comprises a memory area used in connection with the operation of the external device, and an opening means for opening the memory area together with the execution of the prevention means. A peripheral device characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. An end means for terminating a program used in the memory area when the memory area is released by the release means.
The peripheral device according to claim 1 . 3. The detecting means includes two or more detecting devices capable of detecting an off state of a power supply of the external device, and among the two or more detecting devices, a detecting device used for detecting an off state is provided. Characterized by having a selection means for selecting
The peripheral device according to claim 1 . 4. When the power off state of the external device by one of the two or more detection devices is detected, the detection of the power on state of the external apparatus to thereby detect the off state Claims made by the detection device
Item 3. The peripheral device according to item 3 . 5. A peripheral device according to any one of 4 from claim 1 characterized by comprising a second selecting means for selecting whether to detect the off state of the power supply of the external device.